The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-12-10
SOME DOGS.
A Few Old and n Fow Now Sto-
ries
Illustrating Canine sagaoIty, Reason and
Affection.

At meeting of the British Associa-
ton at Aberdeen, Sir John Lubbock
read very interesting paper on the
Intelligence of Dogs, the main point OF
his discourse being that, in place OF
trying TO make the dog understand u.s.,
we should endeavor TO understand the
dog. Sir John illustrated his lecture
by an anecdote of his own dog. which,
he told his hearers, was gifted with in
telligence enough TO choose correctly
out Of seven cards denoting the differ
ent days Of the week, that one which
represented the actually present day.
Sir Johns dog, in fact, is very like our
old friend the "learned pig Of tho
fair in point of intelligence; but il has
occurred 20 the writer, who has con-
siderable acquaintance amongst dogs,
that it might be worth while TO make
public few dog stories illustrative Of
canine intelligence, each Of which, he
thinks, Is in no way inferior 10 that
told by Sir John Lubbock. Without
vouchng for the complete truth Of all
the following anecdotes, the writer
imagines, from his own experience Of
the animal, that where he has not been
able to fully verify facts, there is at
least no reason TO doubt the bona fides
of those who have related the following
Incidents:
The first dog Of which | shall speak
belonged (he is dead now 10 an old
friend Of mine. He was fine collie,
called Nero. Like some other dogs Of
my acquaintance, he was in the habit
Of going TO the butcher each morning
with his master. who always gave
Nero his purchases in a fsh-basket, 10
be by him carried home. One day it
occurred 20 the master that Nero
might as well be taught TO go 70 market
by himself So he began each morning
70 say the word Butcher very
solemnly 10 Nero Immediately before
setting out; 10 which word Nero gravely
listened, slowly wagging his tail the
while. This went on for few weeks
with clockwork regularity. Then came
n wet day. Nero was given the basket
as usual, with note in IL asking the
butcher-who had been warned before
hand-to exchange IL for a pound Of
steak, and taken 20 the door. Then
his master said 20 him Butcher, -
enunciating the word even more
solemnly than usual Nero looked
thoughtful and hesitated. He was then
motioned off in the accustomed direc-
ton. Presently he went n few steps
and looked back. Butcher, Nero,
butcher" repeated his instructor; and
eventually the dog, after two or three
false starts, went of with rather de-
jected appearance, and my friend wen,
indoors % await the result. In due
time Nero returned with the steak; and
for year or two afterwards west 10
the butchers almost daily, always
bringing back his purchases withou,
mishap.
SO many stories have been current
during recent years of canine sagacity,
that one Is prepared 10 believe a great
deal with regard 10 the doings and
sensible proceedings of the friend Of
man" a curious story of this kind
has lately been told BY the secretary
Of Kings College Hospital, London.
lie states that the porter in charge Of
the entrance hall was one day lately
attracted by the loud barking of dog
at the door Of the hospital lie found
there three dogs, one very much In
jured ,nd exhausted by loss Of blood.
and other two, who. IL seems. bad at
rscted the porter's attention by their
barking. evidently friends Of his. with
nothing particularly the matter With